GMEN HQ
FanSided

NFL rumors: Ranking NY Giants’ 5 biggest needs and free agents to fill them

By Matt Lombardo

DETROIT, MI - SEPTEMBER 13: Allen Robinson #12 of the Chicago Bears looks on during the second quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on September 13, 2020 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - SEPTEMBER 13: Allen Robinson #12 of the Chicago Bears looks on during the second quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on September 13, 2020 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
NY Giants
J.J. Watt #99 of the Houston Texans battles Taylor Moton #72 of the Carolina Panthers  (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

3. Offensive tackle

The Giants chose Andrew Thomas No. 4 overall in last April’s NFL Draft, but the Georgia standout was wildly inconsistent as a rookie.

Obviously, the Giants hope Thomas can develop into an anchor for the rebuilt offensive line at left tackle, but it remains to be seen if he can lock down the left tackle job in his second season.

Thomas allowed 56 total pressures, including nine sacks and eight quarterback hits this season.

Even after drafting Thomas and coming back to select Matt Peart in Round 3, out of UConn, the Giants might still need to add one bookend this offseason. It is always preferable to add offensive tackles in the draft rather than free agency, but there are some intriguing veterans who could be available this offseason.

Top free agent targets

Trent Williams

Williams returned to his All-Pro form, in his return to football with the San Francisco 49ers this season. The Niners have plenty of cap space, in excess of $26 million, to bring him back, and the Giants might be a bit gunshy from whiffing on Nate Solder in free agency two years ago. However, if the Giants can get past their history, they could do a lot worse than signing one of the game’s premier offensive tackles — with a 92.1 overall grade from Pro Football Focus, to protect Jones and open up running lanes for Saquon Barkley.

Taylor Motion

Motion is one of the more underrated offensive tackles in the league, and is coming off one of his most consistent seasons. What might make Motion an ideal fit for the Giants is that his natural position is right tackle, which would make him a natural bookend for Thomas. According to Pro Football Focus, Motion only allowed three sacks this season. He has plenty of upside at age 26. Motion’s 83.8 overall grade from PFF this season, would easily make him the Giants’ highest-graded lineman.

Russell Okung

Okung is one of the more stout pass-blocking offensive tackles in the NFL, and even at age 30, finished last season with a 73 overall grade and 80 pass blocking mark from Pro Football Focus. He only allowed three sacks and 13 pressures in 406 total snaps. That’s the kind of consistency the Giants desperately need in front of a young quarterback.

Home/NY Giants News